Yesterday, Aaron Powers previewed the Eastern Conference playoffs. Today he looks at the Western Conference.
1. Chicago Blackhawks: Nobody will soon forget the 24-game point streak the ‘Hawks posted to begin the season. They’ve been the best team in the League and proved that by capping off a stellar run with the President’s Trophy last Wednesday. They have solid offense and defense; the forwards led by Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa; the defense by Duncan Keith, Johnny Oduya, and Brent Seabrook. Goalies Corey Crawford and Ray Emery have pretty much split time between the pipes this season, both posting a Save % over .900 and a Goals Against Average under 2.00. The Blackhawks will have home ice throughout the playoffs, where they went 18-3-3. Look for them to make the Cup Finals.
vs.
8. Minnesota Wild: The big news for the Wild this season occurred on July 4, 2012—before any announcement of a lockout—with the mega-deal signings of forward Zach Parise and defenseman Ryan Suter. After finishing in the #12 spot last season, this year was to mark a turnaround for the Wild, and they played well for parts of the season and at one point actually challenged the Canucks for the top spot in the Northwest. But as they did in 2011-12, Minnesota perhaps peaked too early, and by going 4-5-1 in their last 10, they just squeaked in at #8. As it is with the Southeast division, the Northwest is easily the weakest in the conference, represented in the playoffs by only two teams. With Minnesota facing Chicago in the first round, look for them to practice their golf swings between periods.
Prediction: The Wild don’t stand much of a chance against the Hawks. Look for Chicago to sweep this one.
2. Anaheim Ducks: Veteran and future HOF inductee Teemu Selanne debated, when the season was in jeopardy, if he would return for another run in Anaheim. When the lockout ended, the 42-year-old decided to lace up the skates and didn’t disappoint with a respectable 24 pts (12G/12A). But the real story in Anaheim this season has been rookie goaltender Viktor Fasth, who has a 15-6-2 record. Although the same age as fellow goalie Jonas Hiller, Fasth has surprised many with his stellar play in his first NHL season. Anaheim faces a Detroit team with a bit of a chip on its shoulder, after the Wings fought their way into the playoffs in the last week of the season.
vs.
7. Detroit Red Wings: In Detroit’s first Lidstrom-less season since 1991, it looked as if the Wings’ postseason streak may have departed with the former captain. The Red Wings have now made it to the playoffs for 22 straight seasons, and they found their winning ways just in time. With about a week left to go in the season, the men from Hockeytown wouldn’t be denied another shot at the Cup, putting together a winning streak to guarantee themselves a spot in the top 8. Goalie Jimmy Howard has some new incentive to perform well, having just signed a six year, $31.8 million deal. Look for the Wings to make a run to the Conference Finals.
Prediction: Viktor Fasth’s first NHL postseason proves to be too much for him. Detroit takes this series in 6 games.
3. Vancouver Canucks: The Canucks had what could be called an up-and-down season. The goaltending saga occupied most of the headlines, and with Cory Schneider recently going down with an injury, the spotlight once again falls on Robert Luongo. For the first time in a few seasons, the Canucks faced a real challenge for the Northwest Division in the form of the Minnesota Wild. Vancouver was just able to pull away from the Wild in the last week of the season, going 5-4-1 over their last 10 games. They also added a great center at the deadline, picking up Derek Roy from Dallas. If Ryan Kesler can find his form after battling injuries this year, the Sedin twins keep playing like they have been (especially in their own end), and d-man Kevin Bieksa returns soon, Vancouver could perhaps bring home the Cup that has thus far eluded them.
vs.
6. San Jose Sharks: It’s been heard the last few seasons, “The Sharks aren’t getting any younger.” This may be truer now than ever before. With nearly 50% of their roster born before 1985, the Sharks have the experience and leadership to make a deep playoff run. But they have never reached the Cup Finals, and after falling 4 games to 3 against the Canucks in the 2011 Conference Finals, they were blasted by a red-hot St. Louis Blues team last season. They do have young talent in center Logan Couture (37 pts – 21G/16A) and goalie Antti Niemi (24-12-6), but they haven’t been stellar on the road (8-14-2), and with the #6 seed, they’ll have to start the playoffs in Vancouver, a city that’s rarely been kind to them.
Prediction: Everyone, especially San Jose, recalls the Kevin Bieksa goal that Antii Niemi never saw in the 2011 Western Conference Finals. Luongo proves he still has gas in the tank and Vancouver wins this in 5 games.
4. St. Louis Blues: With last season’s playoff run coming to an end with an 0-4 series loss to the eventual Cup champ Kings, this year’s focus for the Blues has shifted from great goaltending to rookie Vladimir Tarasenko. The Russian rookie has compiled 19 pts (8G/11A) over 38 games, and would most likely still be in the running for the Calder Trophy had he remained healthy. Goaltenders Brian Elliott and Jaroslav Halak have both played well. It will be interesting to see how last year’s Jack Adams Award-winning coach Ken Hitchcock will split the goaltending duties this postseason.
vs.
5. Los Angeles Kings: Even with the lockout, the defending champs had a bit of a Cup hangover, starting the season 3-7. They’ve found their offensive form, and last year’s Conn Smythe winner, Jonathan Quick, has backstopped the Kings to another playoff appearance. With captain Dustin Brown being suspended for the final two games following an elbowing incident against the Wild, it will be interesting to see how the Kings enter the playoffs. After their Cinderella run from the #8 seed last season, will the Kings find their way to the Finals again?
Prediction: Only 1 point separated these two in the final conference standings this season. This series goes the distance. LA wins it in 7 and sends the Blues home early again this year.
Photo: AP/Charles Cherney
See yesterday’s Eastern Conference preview here.
